Brussels, 14/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - An international donor conference for the socio-economic and institutional development of Kosovo in Brussels on 11 July 2008, attended by 37 countries and 16 international organisations, promised a total of €1.2 billion in aid. The EU pledged to provide €508 million (€358 million from the pre-accession fund and €150 in macro financial aid). The United States promised $400 million (€255 million). The prime minister of Kosovo, Hashim Thaci, who attended the conference, said it had been an extraordinary success even though the aim at the outset was to raise €1.5 billion. After unilaterally declaring independence on 17 February 2008, Thaci said the aid would help Kosovo open a chapter of economic development. He pledged to use the money wisely, to combat corruption and promote democratic institutions to ensure the rights of the Serb minority were respected. Thaci said the donors' investment in Kosovo was an investment to build a modern country and a multi-ethnic society, and hoped his country would soon be able to join the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. In time, it also wants to join the EU and NATO. (H.B. /transl.fl)